Murder victim's family speaks out after suspect arrested in Elk Grove

Suspect arrested after high-speed chase through Sacramento County

The family of murder victim James Watkins said they are glad that officers arrested the second suspect in Watkins death. The suspect, Israel Dinnocenzo, was taken into custody on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, after a high-speed chase.

The chase ended in an Elk Grove neighborhood, where the suspect ran from the vehicle. Dinnocenzo and the three others were eventually found and detained.

“In this pursuit, the warrant was for murder – so, that’s somebody you absolutely don’t want to get away,” Deputy Tony Turnbull said. “The fact that we had air support allowed us to trail a bit further. We knew he wasn’t going to get away.”

Watkins’ family, however, did not know deputies were close to making an arrest.

“Somebody lost their father. We lost our cousin. He lost his son. She lost a nephew that was like her son. We were raised together,” Watkins’ cousin Shawana Smith said. “I just want to make sure somebody pays.”

Courtesy of James Watkins' family

According to investigators, Dinnocenzo shot Watkins outside the Pied Piper Lounge in the Arden-Arcade Area on May 7. Another suspect, Isaac Rivera, 22, was also arrested in connection with the murder.

Watkins’ family was devastated after the jury deadlocked following Rivera’s trial Thursday morning. They did not know that hours later the end of a high-speed chase would bring welcome news.